Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-04-01
AN ABUSED DAY
Why Christmas Should be Observed In the
c.irIA Of Ifnnsfanfnflnna Charity.


Spirit of Unostentatious Charity.
Christmas is the greatest day in the
year. Is there a feeling that there is
getting to be too much of it? not too
much of il in the way of kindliness and
brotherly love, but in the way of worry
and expense. The weeks before il are
full of feverish excitement, of nervous
expectation. of perplexity; the days
following it, of exhaustion. Childhood
is on tiptoe in two hemispheres, and
childhood has become so conscious Of
its deserts that it is next to impossible
to surprise it, except by too small gifts.
The day has to carry a tremendous
load. The obesity that might be dis
tributed in healthful streams through
out the year is poured out in 1t in
prodigal waste by some, who seem
glad to relieve themselves of obliga-
ton by single act. In point of cost
it is equal to half dozen weddings.
Year by year the expense OF gifts in
creases. Is this the dictate Of fashion,
or owing to the growth Of kindly feel
ing? Is 1t a spontaneous response to
the spirit of the day, or do any people
make gifts because they are expected
to, and because everybody else does,
and because there has grown up Of
late years q rivalry in this matter?
Since the Puritan distrust of this great
feast-day abated, the American people,
who are the most generous people in
the world, have taken up Christmas
with the same enthusiasm that lately
almost buried funerals under a weight
of floral tributes. We readily incline
to excess, to an excess that destroys
the object we seek. Even for
our pleasures and amusements
we work harder than any other
people, and probably get less
rest and entertainment. At the
rate we are now rushing Christmas
we are in danger of wearing it out in
a decide or two more. 1t is already a
period from which too many people
date nervous prostration. Instead Of
making the season simple and enjoy
able holiday, we are in danger Of max
ing it an intolerable burden.
1t is because the Drawer desires to
preserve this Christmas season as one
of gayety and frolic and simple
pleasures, and widening and deepening
Christian charity, that it makes these
unwelcome observations. There are no
more engaging creatures than children,
unless it be maidens at the age when,
ON holidays, they pose as first or sec
ond cousins, or serene and lovely elder
ly people in the midst of an affection
ate family. But 1t cuts across the
spirit of the holiday when the children
are more eager for costly gift than
for q game OF blind-man' s-buff, and the
maidens do not value the salute under
the mistletoe unless il is accompanied
by diamond bracelet; and the elderly
people, disturbed by this cultivated
habit of greedy expectation, are
grumbling about the expense of the
season. There is small danger that
charity to the poor will be overdone,
that the spirit Of the day IN regard Ia
interfamily, interstate and information.
al goodwill may go to excess, or that
the leayen of the Sermon on the Mount
will work too powerfully in q society
that would be mass of selfishnes:
without it. 1t is incalculable what
Christmas and the spirit of Christina:
has done and is doing for the world.
The sun that rises on that day
in northern ATTITUDES may moi
melt the ice in the streams OF
the frost on the window-panes, bu
there is no day like it for thawing the
human heart throughout Christendom
There is no day ike it for assuagins
enmities, and reyiving tender mem
cries, and drawing together thu
estranged, and narrowing the gulf be
tween classes. During this day th'
world Is a brotherhood. In the won
! crous birth of child all the world re
news for some hours its childish faitl
and simplicity. The spiritof this even
prevails far beyond the circles wher'
1t is regarded as reality.
Why overlay it with artiticiality
Why make 1t an expense hard to b
bornep Why put into the preparation
for IL IN amount of labor and WORRY
that ends in WEAKNESS and exhaustion
Costly gifts are the least necessary par
Of it, worry is foreign to its spirit, an'
both together may make 1t in time
burden, and as distasteful as the nols'
and incendiarism Of the Fourth Of July
The perpetuity Of the best institution
depends upon moderation. Children
are the hope Of the world. We SHOULD
not undervalue them because they ar
plenty. Home rule Is just now tn
most popular doctrine In tho world
But il may be Just as we'll for the mex
generation u the children are not nov
all home rulers. Give the parents
chance; they win be all the better 70
1t. Let us let up a little on the worrl
and cost Of Christmas, and keep tn
best holiday of the ages in THO old spiri
of transformations charity and the exer
else Of mirth and good will that re
freshes and does not weary. Chayle
Dudley Karnsr, IN Harper's Aagasinl